White, who is studying fitness management and plans to go into personal training and coaching one day, didn’t see a lot of mat time his first two years and has yet to qualify for nationals. He is 62-34 in his college career.

“I’ve been burned out, myself,” White said. “I enjoy getting to the top. When I look back at it, it’s not just one match. It’s all the stuff I did before practice and after practice.”

White, though, knew it wouldn’t be easy cracking the lineup of one of the top programs in Division III.

The Knights won the Division III national title the past two seasons and have produced at least one All-American in the past 22 years.

“It was a big reason I came here,” he said. “I look forward to keeping it up.”

Wartburg lost seven wrestlers, including four national champions, from last season.

“We have a lot of guys on the team that haven’t been in the national spotlight,” White said. “We’re definitely excited about the opportunity. Every guy in the practice room is ready to take on the challenge of being in the championship round.”